A Wolf's Truth

Chapter 4 - Flashes

“How do you feel today Sweety?” Shay-Lee asked.

She was looking over at Winter as she came into the room. The young girl on the bed, looking better, but still evident she had been through something, gave her a small smile and typed quickly on the tablet they gave her to use. Once she was done, she held it up, for Shay-Lee to see.

Better. The Doctor says I am doing much better.

“That is good news.” Shay-Lee said smiling, already knowing this. “I also have some good news!”

What?

“You get to go home today!” she replied very excited.

I do? So… you found out who I am? You know where I am from?

“Hmmm… ok, maybe I should rephrase my words… You can leave the hospital today!”

But where can I go? If we do not know… who I am?

“We have that sorted for you my sweet!” Shay-Lee said joyfully. “We have a little place you can use.”

Oh… but that is too much! I do not even have money to pay you for staying there.

“You do not need to pay a cent! Our mother has set it all up for you. You are her guest to stay here.”

Your mother?

“Yes. She is like, the leader around here.”

Shay-Lee watched, thoughtful. Should she tell the girl? It was clear the girl did not even know what she was. That deep down in her was a wolf hiding, as Jake had said it was. Did she even realise that wolves were a thing? That there were such things out there, like Vampires, Witches and more. It seemed that while Winter had lost her memories, she may have lost the understanding of their lands. Looking over to the couch she sighed. Jake was in the room, sitting on his backside again and his attention was the Television. He was always like that, but she knew what he was doing, why he was so intently focused there. Shay-Lee guessed she was in on this on her own then. Looking back at the girl, Shay-Lee gave her a kind smile.

“I wanted to wait to tell you something… but as you are going to be leaving this place… I think you need to know, to understand.” Shay-Lee started, and she could tell Jake was now listening. “You may have already know this, but because you have forgotten things, this may be a shock… but when you leave this place, you will see certain things that may scare you. This world is not as a normal place. It is full of magical things. Me for one.”

Like… a Witch?

“No.” Shay-Lee said with a light laugh. “Though there are those. But no, for me, I am a wolf, and we know you are too.”

A wolf?

“Yes, like a warewolf, just not as ugly and mean.”

This made Winter have a little giggle, but that was all, because she seemed to go silent and think, like she was trying to pick something out from her mind. Was she attempting to remember something? Shay-Lee stopped and waited, wondering and giving the young girl some time. It was odd, while she looked a little stunned by the news before her, she did not even look scared and freaked out. Shay-Lee felt that maybe, deep down, her mind remembered. Maybe that was why her wolf was hiding, because she did not remember things either.

Seems she is taking it well. Jakes voice spoke into her mind.

Can you sense anything going on? Shay-Lee asked him back.

She is just tyring to search her mind to try and remember, nothing is there. He told her.

“You ok Sweety?” Shay-Lee asked out loud to Winter.

Just taking it in. Winter wrote on the tablet. Does this mean… when you said you were following the scent… it was like, sniffing it out?

“Yes!” Shay-Lee said with a giggle.

And you mother… she is… the leader… an Alpha?

“You catch on quickly Sweety!” Shay-Lee said impressed. “That is correct. So, if she has asked for you to stay, you can stay! There is just one condition. Jake has to stay with you!”

Jake?

“That weirdo over there.” Shay-Lee replied.

She looked over to Jake, and noticed that Winter leaned over slightly, to look past her and look at him as well, looking curious but also confused. Jake on the other hand, still looking towards the television, gave a quick tilt of the head, looking at them for a second, with a nod and a quick raise of hand and then went back to facing the Television.

“Don’t mind him. He can be a bit of a nob head. He loves his TV.” She told Winter cheerfully.

“And you are too cunning for your own good.” Jake spoke shortly.

“That is why I make a good part of the team.” Shay-Lee teased him.

I guess, when you say team… you mean Clan? Wolf groups…. Are there many here?

“In short, we are the High Moon Clan. We are a very old clan. We own quite a lot of area, and have thousands to look after. We are more on the South Central Side of the lands. There is a North and West side, that hold a few Clans, and then the East that also have a few. That is where we think you may have come from. Further out, there are more Clans, but a lot smaller then the city Clans. They tend to just be small families that stay together.” She explained to the girl.

Why… do you think I am from the East?

“Because, well… we have a theory that it is the direction in which you came from, the night you were… attacked.” Shay-Lee explained.

She was silent again, Shay-Lee knew the girl was thinking more, a frown crossing over her face. Shay-Lee stayed silent, wondering what was on her mind, wondering if she should have said it. Of course, even though she did not remember what happened to her, the idea that she had been attack most likely did not sit well with her. Shay-Lee knew if it was herself, she would not have been ok. The tricky thing was, none of them had even told Winter the whole story of it, just that she had been attacked. It was a week since their family dinner, Zakari told them all about what he realised was happening, and so far, they had all kept it to themselves.

“That is enough.” Jake said suddenly jumping up from the couch he was on and stepping up to the bed. “Winter, stop thinking now.”

“Jake?” Shay-Lee asked, confused.

She looked around at him, seeing the look in his eyes, look of pain, torment and sorrow. She was shocked and she looked back around at the young girl sitting in the bed, who looked almost frozen in place, a sudden fearful look in her golden eyes. Tears were glassing her eyes over as well, and Shay-Lee could feel she was shaking, and not in a cold sense. When Jake spoke, jumping up from the couch, it took a moment, like she was not even noticing he spoke to her. Until he reached a hand out, and placed it upon her own.

Things changed again very quickly. She seemed to awaken, like she had been stuck in some crazy day dream state. She blinked and her attention was drawn to Jake, so was Shay-Lee’s. Jake held his expression, it did not faulter and this scared Shay-Lee. She had messed something up, mentioning the attack, she knew it, from this reaction from both of them. The was a slight noise from the girl, shifting their attention back to her again. Was she trying to say something? To talk?

“It is ok Winter. I am sorry, I should not have said anything.” Shay-Lee told the girl.

“I… I’m sorry…” came her weak soft voice, it was like sugar on flowers, sweet and mesmerising. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Jake… what is going on?” Shay-Lee asked worried, “Winter, what happened?”

Things were happening very fast and Shay-Lee did not know what to do. The girl before them seemed really shaken up, frightened over something, apologising for something Shay-Lee did not know what. It seemed to just keep getting worse, she was so unsettled, and even though she was still trying to recover from her injuries, it seemed in her mind that was the least of her worries. She could tell the girl was in a very stressful panic and not even Jake seemed to be able to console her like he had tried to do. Winter threw the blankets off from her and went to get out of the bed.

Her problem, she was too weak, from not being able to walk for a long time since the incident and the moment she got off the bed, her legs failed, falling to the ground. This seemed to surprise her, shock her and it was the moment they needed. Shay-Lee was kneeling down before the girl, hands on either side of her face. She was crying, painfully crying and Shay-Lee could not help it. Lachlan had told them not to get too close, to just watch her, but not really connect with her. But it was too late for that, Shay-Lee removed her hands from the girls face, wrapping them around her frail body and pulling the girl to her, holding her, like a mother would a child.

Koby! She mind linked. I need you, please. Winter’s room.

She did not stay in the link, her eyes looking down at the girl in her arms and then her eyes raised up to Jake, who was standing in front of them, looking fearful and worried. She did not want to ask yet, did not want to cause any more pain to the girl, but she really did want to know what had just happen.

***

Koby had not wasted any time and had come to the room. It took time, but finally Winter seemed calm enough for them to do something. Koby checked her over, advised that her heart rate was elevated and it was clear how weak she really still was, that while the bruising and cuts were going down and not so visible any more, her body was not yet completely recovered on the inside. He was able to give her a sedative, and then once Winter was at a point of rest, they put her back into the bed.

Jake had been there the whole time, not saying a word, just watching her with careful eyes. Shay-Lee knew that look, had seen it only a few times. It was a possessive look, a protective look and she knew as a wolf witch, he only felt like this on very rare occasions. She knew, from how things escalated very quickly that Winter had a flashback to something and Jake had seen it, without even being too close to her, like it was projected straight too him.

The three of them had walked out of the room, not wanting to wake Winter as she now rested, and closed the door. Shay-Lee was surprised that as they walked out Zakari and Lachlan were both standing there, waiting, as if they knew something had happened. Adam was there as well and Shay-Lee let out a sigh. They were expecting to know what was going on and it was not long before the discussion started. Lachlan demanding to know what was going on, if there was danger in what was happening. His mind was still set on protecting his people from any threat.

“I am not sure what happened.” Shay-lee stated. “We were just talking and then all of a sudden, it was like, she went into a day dream.”

“What do you know of it Jake?” Lachlan asked, looking to him.

“I… it is…” he shook his head, not even able to explain it.

“From experience, she went into emotional shock, possible a memory came back to her.” Koby explained. “Something initiated it. What were you discussing?”

“I told her we were coming out of here today. It was suggested she came somewhere from the East, because of the direction she was running…” Shay-Lee explained.

“You mentioned the attack didn’t you?” Zakari asked unpleased.

“I did not realise it was going to do this to her.” Shay-Lee claimed bowing her head.

“Jake… what was it. You need to explain, so we understand.” Zakari requested carefully.

“There is… it is… the best way… I can show… if you are prepared.” Jake offered.

Everyone looked at each other for a moment, not having to say anything. It was risky, doing a link like that, however, Jake was pretty skilled and so they needed to trust him. Almost as one, like they were all of the same, each of them nodded. They did not care nurses were wondering the halls, though they tended to keep clear of the group, knowing not to approach unless desperately needed. In mind link, Jake reached out to all of them, insulting their mind with a sudden image. An image, thoughts, emotions, feelings.

She was scared, hurt and felt sick. Tears ran down her face, as she was on the ground, shaking.

“Please. Just let me go. I don’t want this.” She begged fearfully.

“Shut up you dirty slut.” A deep growl emitted at her. “This will settle all our debts. You have no say, you pathetic piece was shit.”

She cried out in pain, gasping, the kick to her side was horrible, brutal and it just added to the other injuries she had received before now. She coughed, spitting up blood, shaking, trying to pick herself up. Who ever was there with her, unseeable in the darkness, just a shadow to her, came closer, grabbing her by the hair, roughly pulling her. She gasped in pain, feeling herself being pulled off the ground, dragged for a short distance and then forced to stand, to turn, a heavy strong arm coming across her chest, holding her in a rib crushing hold. She was hurting, scared further, as they pulled her from where they were, across the darkness further.

“Please. Please. I am sorry, I’m sorry.” She begged. “I promise I will be good, I will be better. Please, don’t let this happen.”

“To late you whore.” They spoke back into her ear.

She was pushed, forcefully into something solid, a wall. Everything was still in darkness, and then the wall moved. It was a door, and they come into another room, dark enough to still not see everything, but a bit of light to see that there was a person waiting. A tall man, looking very menacing, and the moment they entered the room, an approving look fell upon their face. It struck more fear into her, so much that she felt like she was going to be sick again.

“Please. I don’t want this. Please, let me go.” She begged again.

“You were not lying.” The person spoke in a sinister way. “She is a beauty. Very appealing.”

“I never lied.” The one holding her replied. “Will you keep to the deal?”

“Oh, do not worry, we will. Once this is over, you will have what you need.” They replied.

“No. No please. This is not fair. This is not right.” She cried.

They stepped closer, a hand reaching out, they placed it against her face, a greedy grin reaching their lips. Then out of the blue, they slapped her, hard. She cried in pain once again, her jaw clicking from the hit, the pain emitting from it telling her right away that it was broken.

“You shut up bitch.” The one before her said, laughing. “I am going to really enjoy you.”

They grabbed her, pulling her from the hold of the other, by the throat, putting pressure against her wind pipe. She was chocking, gasping, trying to free herself. They laughed at her and then threw her, across the room. She hit something hard and fell, landing in a heap on the floor. Her arm shot out in pain, broken again. She knew she was beat, that there was no way she could get out of this. She was weak, always had been and was always reminded of that, all her life, always being punished for little things and treated like she was absolutely nothing. She knew, this was going to be her end, that she was not going to see the sun rise ever again.

“She is all yours now. Do as you please.” The one who had first been there spoke. “Just make sure, when you are done, she does not return. That slut, can be buried fifty feet down for all I care.”

“Please… do not… I’m sorry, I am sorry, so sorry. I will do anything, I will do better. I will learn to cook better, to clean better. Please do not leave me.” She begged, her last chance.

“I have gained something more important then your promises, do not fool yourself that I care. You are done, this is the end of you, filthy bitch.” They stated.

In the darkness they stood in, she could not see them, but her heart was breaking. The one she was being left with laughed, stepping up to her, giving her a further kick in the side, causing further pain to shoot through her body once again. She cried and with one last look before they left, she saw their deep blood red eyes shine through the darkness, before they were gone, the door closed and the person she was left with stepped into her view, bending down before her, laughing, playing with her hair, and then once again, slapping her forcefully across the face.

Shay-Lee stood there shaking, the link ended, but it did not take away what she had seen, what all of them had seen. She leaned against the wall behind her, a shaking hand placed up to her chest. Her eyes ran over that of her brothers, of Adam and of Jake, who had to live through that for a second time. Nobody was ok after that view, and they all had to take a moment, of their own shock, to take in what had been seen. Sometimes, having Jake was great, and sometimes, it was hard. This was one of those hard things. No wonder he could not explain it in words, it was too horrible.

She whined, the wolf in her feeling the pain, the devastation of it was too much. She eyes flicked to the door, to the room that Winter was resting in. Now wonder she went into memory shock as Koby had called it. The first memory she had and it was of that. It was clear that the memory was not the start of what had happened, it was not the end of it either. That part of it, had been like a middle, in a dark place, before that memory Jake had seen previously of her running through a forest. And what of the person who left her there. The way she was spoken to, the names she was called. It was disgusting. They did not care for her, they gave her away, gave her to somebody for their own gain. It was clear, she had been sold, sold to somebody who wanted to use her and then end her.

The air around Shay-Lee became different, heavy and dangerous. She looked over quickly at her brother, at Lachlan, who’s eyes were as black as the bottom of a deep pit. He was furious, he was angry and seconds later he turned and smashed a fist into the wall that Shay-Lee was leaning against. Not near her, but the same wall. The moment his fist hit, the whole wall shook, the brick behind the plaster crumbled and a wave of force pushed past them all. She gasped, she had not seem him this angry in a very long time, since they lost their father to a Clan War, the moment in which he showed how strong he was, by killing the other Clans Alpha and Beta in return.

Shaking, Shay-Lee took a deep breath, reaching out a hand and placed it upon her brothers arm, a look in her eyes, of understanding, of pain and of fear. His aura was pulsing and strong, but he felt it, felt her touch, he looked down at her hand on his arm and then his eyes lifted, to look at her in the eyes as well. They were silent for a second and then he turned, moving his arms and pulling her to him, holding her in a hug, letting out a deep sigh.

“What do we do Boss?” Adam asked.

“We lock down.” Lachlan stated. “I want all our boarders locked. I do not want anyone coming in or out without permission, without my word first.”

“Why?” Koby asked a bit surprised.

“Because, I want to find who the f**k did this to that girl, and I know they are not from here. If anyone comes looking, they will need to try and access. We screen everyone, until we find the sons of a bitches.” Lachlan explained firmly.

“How do we know they will even come looking?” Adam asked. “I would say, one of them would assume… she is… dead. The other… he already ran with his tail between his legs.”

“Then what would you suggest we do?” Lachlan asked, as if there was no other option.

“Not lock down completely, just enough to not raise eyebrows.” Adam suggested. “And keep watch. If somebody comes, if somebody recognises her, it will be obvious, and then it will lead us to who may have done this.”

“Ok… that is… a good plan.” Lachlan said nodding, much more calm. “Enact it right away Adam and Shay-Lee. Do not waste time. Zakari, inform mother of this plan, and then gather your team, confirm if they still recall that scent, make them aware of keeping a look out for it. Jake, you stay and keep watch over her. She is not to have any visitors and we are to move her once she is awake again, get her to the flat and keep her there. Koby, I want to know who she is. The Clans may all live differently, but we all have records of who is who. Start with contacting the East from Silver Moon, all their records and if they have any missing pack members.”

They all nodded, taking his orders and nobody wasted any time. Zakari left right away, and Jake went back into the room. Shay-Lee looked to Adam and gave him a confirmation nod, and they watched as Lachlan moved from their embrace, turning and walking down the hall, away from them. Shay-Lee did not know what he was going to be doing, but she knew he had something on his mind, something he wanted to do. With the hallway now empty aside from herself and Adam, they left as well, knowing exactly what they needed to do.